My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

is

hand, she lifted a knife and

Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails,

must sing the

close her eyes and make a

must blow out

to Julian that there was

The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

thank you!” their parents

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole

Rachel finally smiled for the first

most important thing right now is to take

as well pretend

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you

and

apartment and about

loud slam, the door was propped

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it. Suddenly,

out on

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

you’ve been getting

took two steps back. Why are

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

step he approached her,

had no idea what she did

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was